New Judges Information

Welcome!

Study groups will be set up for all levels this summer. If you are willing to host a session in your home, please contact Denise or Lee.

Practice tests are being developed and will be posted as soon as they are completed.

New Judges liaison is Dawn Kiss. EMAIL

Judging Requirements and Question and Answers
(Please read this document from USAG as it will answer many of your questions about judging.)

The following websites - USAG and NAWGJ national websites- have additional information on how to become a judge.
USAG
http://usagym.org/pages/women/pages/judging.html
NAWGJ
http://www.nawgj.org/becoming_a_judge.htm

To Our New Judges

Hello, we want to extend a warm welcome to each of you that are considering becoming a Washington State Gymnastic Judge - whether you are a new judge, or new to our state. Our gymnastic community is here to aid and support you. Do not hesitate to contact the Co-State Judging Directors, Lee Bjella or Denise Green - Email

As a board we recommend that you have a mentor; we will assist you with that selection. Mentors are very valuable; they facilitate in your testing preparation, answer questions involving judging issues, and support you throughout your "growing years" as an official.

As any organization, we have numerous terms that can be confusing to new judges. The following definitions will help clarify our professional language and assist in your understanding of the different organizations that are involved in gymnastics.

TERM DEFINITIONS: (Websites for the following are located on the Links page)

NAWGJ - National Association Women's Gymnastics Judges - our state chapter is
NAWGJ WA (www.nawgjwa.com)

SJD - State Judging Director. In our case, we have Co-SJD's

USAG - USA Gymnastics (our national organization located in Indianapolis)
USAG Washington - our state chapter of USAG

R2 (Region 2) - Washington is in Region 2 (Alaska, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington)

RJD - Regional Judging Director, Ann Heppner, Oregon

Memberships: There are two organizations that you must become a member of before you can be assigned meets. It is also your responsibility to renew your membership to each annually.

USAG (click here for more info): USAG membership dues are: Online Registration - $84 Or Mail / Fax Registration - $89. You must also get a background check and be safety certified. (You can talk to one of the Co-SJD's to explain this, or go to the USAG website for more information.)

NAWGJ - (click here more info): our national judging organization, your membership to NAWGJ is your responsibility. Cost:

Professional $60.00
New Member $

As a NAWGJ member you are automatically covered with one million dollar insurance protections.

Annually judges must maintain what is termed Continuing Professional Education (CPE). We are a professional organization that requires continual education to ensure the highest possible standards; therefore, each judge is required to maintain what is known as CPE.

Professionalism

As officials, we need to pay attention to the following:

A. Preparation. Review your rules and event assignments before each meet. Carefully pack your bag or briefcase to include all the sheets, books, and supplies you need. If you do not feel comfortable judging an event please ask to switch events. The gymnasts score is of upmost importance and it is your responsibility to be prepared to judge the event(s) you are assigned.

B. Appearance. The NAWGJ uniform consists of a navy jacket, navy skirt or pants and white blouse.

C. Behavior at Meets. Do not speak excessively to coaches during the competition. Keep conferences brief, and speak well of all gymnasts, coaches and other judges. Stay at your event until the session is completed. Eat or drink discreetly. NO PHONE USE.

D. Responsibilities. You are responsible for your own judging career - you must keep your required memberships and ratings current and take care of any required financial reporting. (Taxes, etc.) Be a responsible judge: Return contracts promptly, carpool when you can, be prepared for your assignments, and be on time - 30 minutes prior to march-in!

For a few articles to help prepare for testing, go to the national NAWGJ website, Education Corner: http://www.nawgj.org/education_corner.htm

• Preparing for the Test by Cookie Batche  

• The Test, Otherwise Known as “T- Day” by Jim Burton 

• Sleep key ingredient in retaining learning 

• Studying—Without Losing Your Mind (or your life) by Robin Ruegg, RJD Region 4

NOTE: All educational items are offered by NAWGJ as a courtesy to judges to help in the educational process. Note that they are NOT official information and that there are likely to be errors. We appreciate the member judges that have taken the time and effort to share their expertise in this way.

Check out the vault and bars visuals below. (Thanks to Myra Elfenbein, Region 7 RTC) and symbols charts (thanks to the NAWGJ Newsletter of 1999) to help you with judging.

Uneven Bar Casts
Beginning Judging Shorthand
Vault Repulsion